Liverpool preparing world record bid for the next Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk has remained the heart of Liverpool’s defence this season, but the time will come when the Reds must replace him.

Arne Slot’s captain has 18 months remaining on his contract at Anfield and doesn’t look like losing his place any time soon.

Despite the Dutchman’s impressive performances this season, succession planning will be on the agenda for Richard Hughes as Van Dijk will be 35-years-old by the open of next season.

The process of trying to replace one of the best defenders to ever play the game will no doubt be long and arduous with few able to fill the captain’s boots.

According to one report though, Liverpool may have found a genuine candidate to replace their defensive colossus.

Liverpool preparing €95 million bid for Van Dijk replacement

It will likely take a large fee to recruit anyone on the level of Van Dijk, and Fichajes are now reporting that Liverpool are preparing a world record bid for Alessandro Bastoni.

The report claims that the Reds view the Inter Milan defender as the long-term heir to Van Dijk, and that a January move could be considered for the Italian in order to shore up Slot’s struggling defence.

Liverpool are also reportedly not the only team monitoring Bastoni’s situation, with a number of ‘Europe’s top clubs’ also interested in the 26-year-old.

The report states that the club’s hierarchy are keen to ‘act ambitiously’ and fear that waiting to sign Bastoni will only push the defender’s price up.

Will Bastoni move to Liverpool?

The Reds need for defensive reinforcement is certainly clear, and with Ibrahima Konate’s future still not resolved it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Liverpool move for a first choice central defender in the winter window.

That being said, Inter Milan will be reluctant to let one of their best players leave mid-season.

The fee involved also seems to be a big hurdle, with Liverpool having already spent over £400 million in the summer window.

Bastoni is believed to be a long-time target at Anfield and is probably one of the best in his position in Europe, but a deal won’t be simple, and the club may wait until Konate’s future has been decided to commit a large transfer fee and no doubt large wages to Bastoni.

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